What's in a Staff?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

The breaking of Saruman's staff would thus be akin to the breaking of a king's scepter, or Denethor's deliberate breaking of the Steward's staff: a sign that the office was at end, that the reign was over. Saruman's tenure as head of the Istari ended, and his staff was broken.

I can certainly see symbolism in the staffs, as well. When Saruman's staff is broken, the head of it falls at Gandalf's feet. This would seem a clear indication that Gandalf was then the 'head' of the Order.

All the same, the staff seems to have some quality of magic of its own, or at least the ability to channel it. Consider the Fellowship at Moria.

As the wizard passed on ahead up the great steps, he held his staff aloft, and from its tip there came a faint radiance.

A Journey In the Dark

And earlier, when Gandalf, Bilbo, and the Dwarves were caught in the trees in The Hobbit:

Then Gandalf climbed to the top of his tree. The sudden splendour flashed from his wand like lightning..

Out of the Frying-Pan Into the Fire

'Wand' there, should surely be read for 'staff'.
I think the staffs are both instruments of power, and, as Ibrin said, symbols of office.